Flashback April 12, 1999-2001

[B]APRIL 12, 1999

Row stalls sewerline project[/B]

Despite fears of potential health risk to residents due to non-completion of a long-stalled sewer line project near the Saipan airport, the Commonwealth Ports Authority has threatened to shut down its construction following dispute with the utilities corporation. Both CUC and CPA have failed in the last few weeks to iron out differences over the contractor’s claims as they continue to accuse each other of not cooperating with the settlement of about $1.9 million owed to Pacific Drilling Ltd.

[B]For ex-governor, same fire in belly, thunder in lungs[/B]

In Garapan Central Park, organizers of the Reform Party promise to revive the economy by abolishing rules unfriendly to business, provide more jobs, fill the treasury and prevent a U.S. takeover of immigration and labor. But only about 50 people came to fill the complex to hear party stalwarts crow about Saipan’s ills and the potions they brew to cure it. Some supporters, obviously reluctant to be identified, hid behind the bushes in the dark.

[B]HANMI seeks stay on benefits law[/B]

The Hotel Association of Northern Mariana Islands has asked the legislature to temporarily postpone the implementation of “The Resident Workers Fair Compensation Act” until amendments are made or clarified through regulations. “We agree with compensating local workers fairly and we understand the law, but we have difficulties implementing it because it’s very vague – without rules and regulations,” said Ron Sablan, president of HANMI.

[B]APRIL 12, 2000

Reduction in oil prices seen[/B]

Car owners in the Northern Marianas can look forward to lower pump prices of petroleum products following the stabilization of world crude oil prices due to the increase in production of major oil-exporting countries. Dubai crude, which is the benchmark for most oil firms in Asia and the Pacific, has dropped to about $22.90 per barrel from an average of $25.06 per barrel in March and as high as $28.40 in the first week of last month.

[B]US computer companies interested in NMI[/B]

The Northern Marianas has the potential to become a new investment site for the rapidly-growing information technology (IT) because of its proximity to Asian countries and its link with the United States, according to officials. Local lawmakers on a visit to Washington D.C. met Monday (Tuesday, Saipan time) with the Business Software Alliance (BSA), an organization of giant IT companies such as Microsoft, IBM and Intel to discuss the possibility of establishing such industry on the island.

[B]FAS students enrollment in PSS declines[/B]

The Public School System has recorded a major drop in the number of students from the Freely Associated States who enrolled in government-run educational institutions in the School Year 1999-2000, apparently alleviating pressures on depleting public coffers. Government officials said expenses incurred by the CNMI in hosting citizens of the Freely Associated States under the Compact of Free Association is putting more pressure on the Commonwealth’s budget deficit problems.

[B]APRIL 12, 2001

Gov’t taking years to recover missing funds[/B]

At least $6 million in total revenues are missing from public coffers due to the failure of some government agencies to take aggressive steps in recovering unpaid rental fees, overpayment in professional services contracts and improper spending of public funds. A report released yesterday by the Office of the Public Auditor revealed that only $109,097 of the $6 million government funds have been recovered so far, leaving some $5.8 million virtually missing.

[B]Delinquent recommendations by OPA dropped 66 percent[/B]

The number of delinquent recommendations issued by the Office of the Public Auditor dropped 66 percent to 61 in 2000 from the previous year’s 181, indicating serious actions taken by several government agencies to address financial loopholes. Public Auditor Mike Sablan said actions taken by the Coordinating Group supported OPA’s efforts to close recommendations and encouraged agency action on delinquent recommendations.
[B] Future dim for 60MW power plant project?[/B]

The Commonwealth Utilities Corporation remains off-track on how to resolve the crisis brought about by Enron’s decision to pullout of the 60-megawatt Saipan power plant project. This week, CUC officials including the project negotiating team are scheduled to convene to discuss the remaining alternatives in light of the proposals made by local government heads to proceed with the multi-million project.